SERIOUS PROBLEM...PLEASE HELP!!!

Question

Okay, so my iPod has been having a few issues lately and I want to know if anyone has any idea what's wrong with it.
A few days ago I was getting the "Please wait, very low battery" message constantly. I know my iPod was charged so I don't know why it kept saying that. Every time I plugged it into the wall, it wouldn't charge so I tried charging it in my iHome, which seemed to be working. The problem is, the iPod isn't charging right. I can keep it in the iHome for hours, and it always says it's charging. Then as soon as I take it off the iHome, it says it's charged. If I put it back into the iHome, it says it's charging again.
On top of that, when the iPod isn't plugged into anything, I can still use it, but the "Charged" icon stays on the screen 24/7. When I turn it off, the screen turns off for about 3 seconds and then the "Charged" or "Charging" icon shows up (it varies) and the screen is not lit up. So my iPod basically never turns off, so the battery ends up dying.
I've reset my iPod countless times, and restored it a couple times, and nothing seems to fix it. There have also been times when neither my iTunes nor my computer recognize my iPod. I think I've come to the conclusion that it needs to be in disk mode, but I've never had that problem before.
If anyone has any idea what the problem is, please let me know. Or if you've had a similar problem...I hate to think I'm the only one experiencing this.
I've thought about going to an Apple store to have them look at it, but my warranty is up. I do, however, have a warranty with Best Buy, but I'm not completely sure what it covers. I really don't think there's a problem with the battery, I mean, it holds a charge, but my iPod just refuses to shut off. Not to mention, my iPod doesn't seem to recognize when it's actually charging and when it isn't.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Message was edited by: Breane
Message was edited by: Breane

Answer 1

I am using a Dell with Windows XP.
When I plug the iPod into my computer, the iPod screen does not change (it still shows the "Charged" icon, which stays on the screen all day until my iPod eventually dies). After about 2 minutes, it says it's charging, but iTunes does not recognize it, nor does my computer.
If I put the iPod in Disk Mode, iTunes recognizes it, and my iPod syncs. The iPod Summary window says my software is up to date. After I unplug the iPod from my computer and take it out of Disk Mode, i reset the iPod. The iPod works like it normally would, except that the battery icon in the top right of the screen has the picture of the plug in it which isn't supposed to be there...it should just say the battery is full. While my iPod is in use, that plug stays in the battery icon 24/7. When I "shut" my iPod off, the display turns off for about 3 seconds, and then the "Charged" screen shows up (the one that shows up when the iPod is actually plugged into something). The thing is, the screen isn't really off. If I scroll my finger on the click wheel, as if to adjust the volume, the screen lights up. So my iPod is never really off, causing it to die within a few hours.
I haven't tried using my computer to charge the iPod, so I can't tell you how long it takes. I will leave it plugged in overnight and let you know what happens.